Nectarine tree named &#34;nectarlight&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectarlight’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2008/0583 filed on Mar. 17, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Nectarlight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘Nectarlight’. This new tree produces fruit with a longshelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completionand after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white fleshfruit for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement,France. Contrast is made to ‘Nectarjewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380),a standard white nectarine variety, and to its seed parent ‘Nectareine’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,480), a yellow nectarine tree, for reliabledescription. ‘Nectarlight’ is a promising candidate for commercialsuccess in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf lifewithout alteration before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘Nectarlight’ white nectarine tree originated in a cultivated areaof the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where itwas tested. The ‘Nectarlight’ variety resulted from a free pollinationof the ‘Nectareine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,480) yellow nectarine tree,which was the seed parent. The pollen parent is unknown. ‘Nectarlight’was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by agenetic profile, under number 03.05.67 NB and was registered at theOfficial Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic onNov. 14, 2007 under number 1024467. It was obtained by seedling andpropagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented)rootstock tree. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruitcharacteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production.There are no known effects of the standard ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’(non-patented) rootstock on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagatedplants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of thetree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexuallyby us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in March atPerpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Moreparticularly, it generally blooms between the 8^(th) and the 17^(th) ofMarch under normal climatic conditions, five days after ‘Nectarjewel’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380).

The first fruit of ‘Nectarlight’ nectarine tree ripens in August, twoweeks after ‘Nectarjewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380). Moreparticularly, it approximately ripens between August 10^(th) and 22thunder normal climatic conditions. The date of maturity varies slightlywith the prevailing climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical fruitspecimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows two fruit specimens of the newvariety, leaves of the new variety and and a third fruit cut in half fordepicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruits may vary in slight detail due tovariations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. Thepotential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Nectarlight’ ishigh, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration before andafter harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread tosemi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of the floweringshoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Floweringbegins semi-lately in springtime. The type of flower is showy withmedium petal size. Petals are light pink. Leaf glands are present andreniform. Time of maturity for consumption is semi-late. The fruit fleshis white and its skin is very thick, featuring a luminous pink-washedred color. The stone is medium size. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to its seed parent ‘Nectareine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,480),which produces yellow nectarines, ‘Nectarlight’ produces whitenectarines. ‘Nectareine’ blooms earlier than ‘Nectarlight’, betweenMarch 3^(rd) and 14^(th) under normal climatic conditions, and alsoripens earlier, between July 22^(th) and 30^(th) under normal climaticconditions.

‘Nectarlight’ variety blooms 5 days after and ripens 2 weeks later thanthe ‘Nectarjewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,380) variety. ‘Nectarlight’also produces only 30 flowers per meter, instead of 35 and more flowersper meter for ‘Nectarjewel’. ‘Nectarjewel’ flowers are bigger.‘Nectarlight’ fruit color is a luminous pink-washed red, whereas‘Nectarjewel’ fruit color is darker. However, fruit shapes and tastesare very similar between both varieties, and their respective times ofmaturity allow ‘Nectarlight’ fruits to enter the market right after‘Nectarjewel’ fruits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following was observed duringthe 2007 and 2008 growing seasons under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been doneon rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’(non-patented) tree. More particularly, observations relative to tree,trunk, branches, leaves and fruit were done in August 2007 and August2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growing season. Observationsrelative to flowers were done in March 2007 and March 2008 on trees intheir fourth and fifth growing season. All major color code designationsare by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided byThe Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common            commercial nectarine cultivars. The tree size the first year            was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So            the tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm with current seasons shots            length comprised.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 meters with a cylindrical            shape. The whole orchard was oriented to a central leader            organisation, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees            spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line.        -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous. The present variety grew from            about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing            season. For second and following seasons, the variety was            pruned to an approximate height of 250 cm.        -   Productivity.—Productive to very productive. Fruit set is            spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the            desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set            varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural            practices employed during the bloom period, and is therefore            not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was            necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning must be light            because of the high magnifying potential of fruits. Thinning            was necessary every year during the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘Nectarlight’ variety has naturally a semi-spread            to semi-upright shape.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages            were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12            degrees Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to frosty            springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 10.0 cm and 11.0 cm in            diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm            above the soil level, on trees of the fifth growing season.            The branching begins at 50 cm above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with folds of            papery scarfskin being present.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees of the            fourth growing season. The lenticels range in size from            approximately 5.0 millimeters to 8.0 millimeters in width,            and are about 2.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey            color (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the            inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C            to RHS Black 202 C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 6.0 to 8.0            millimeters, and branches of trees of the fourth growing            season have a diameter comprised between 26.0 and 38.0            millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 60            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 40.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199            A).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light            green (RHS Green 143 C to D) on lower part of new shoot            tips, whereas the upper part is colored in more or less            brown-red (varying from RHS Greyed Red 182 B to C).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements            have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season            growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is around 3,8.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 176.0 to 190.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 38.0 to 50.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C).        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light green with a cream touch (RHS Yellow Green 145            D).        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.6 to about 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Light green shading to white (RHS Yellow Green 145 B            to C).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.0            millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally 4 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands            color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B); the corolla, formed by            the petals, is generally of pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to 69            C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of            flowering. The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.        -   Hardiness.—No winter injury was noted during the last            several years of evaluation in the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as            low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety            has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat            stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in            orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an            average temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during            3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—Generally March. The first bloom was observed            on Mar. 4, 2004.        -   Blooming time.—Considered of semi-late season in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed on March. The date of bloom varies            slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.            Thus the first full bloom was observed approximately on Mar.            8, 2003.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full            bloom is approximately 30.0 to 35.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 30            flowers per meter.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species.        -   Length.—Generally about 17.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally about 17.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Light Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B to C) when            young, slightly darkening with advancing senescence.        -   Fragrance.—Pronounced.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slighty rounded extremity.        -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Petal margins.—Generally moderately undulated.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally dome-shaped.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average            length of approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C to D).-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Color.—A green yellow (varying from RHS Yellow 13 A to B to            RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B) color.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Color.—Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 40            stamens per flower.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Small in length.        -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed            Purple 178 A Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at            maturity.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow            color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The            present variety is considered self fruitful            (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 6.0 to 15.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally            superior or equal to the pistil's length.        -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple            62 C to D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to B).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Generally smaller or equal to filaments length.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow            Green 150 D to RHS Yellow Green 151 D).        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping            ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 20, 2004.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 31, 2004. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The            ‘Nectarlight’ variety has a semi-late date of picking, and a            grouped maturity: only 2 harvests in 10 days were necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, and very            homogeneous in size.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 78.0 to 80.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 69.0 to 72.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Approximately 250.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in            symmetry, viewed from pistil end.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and marked, extending from the            base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists            along the suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole            fruit color, a luminous pink-washed red (varying from RHS            Red Purple 59 A to B to RHS Red Purple 60 A to B).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, depressed, very small.        -   Base.—Wide-mouthed, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about            0.9 cm. Average width is about 1.9 cm.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious            to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of            maturity.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—The whole fruit color is a luminous pink-washed            red (varying from RHS Red Purple 59 A to B to RHS Red Purple            60 A to B) covering 100% of the fruit skin surface.        -   Ground color.—The whole fruit color is a luminous            pink-washed red (varying from RHS Red Purple 59 A to B to            RHS Red Purple 60 A to B) covering 100% of the fruit skin            surface.        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenously, slowly.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity            stage.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13            and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor            is considered aromatic.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White Group N155A) with a            star-shaped red pigmentation into and around the stone            cavity (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A to B).-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 30.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 22.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Base.—Straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, with a small prominent tip.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form            and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of            approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered an orange to red-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 173 C            to D).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light orange-yellow (RHS Greyed            Orange 166 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B).            The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The            kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘Nectarlight’ is considered to be a            nectarine tree of the semi-late season of maturity, and            which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent            for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full            maturity. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,            they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product            (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are            also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They            have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the            tree after growth completion and after harvesting without            alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks to 4            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin. Although the new            variety of nectarine tree possesses the described            characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions            prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            France, it should be understood that variations of the usual            magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing            conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and            horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. 